Slow burn is the common term for adoxipham withdrawal.
Because one dose is enough to hook someone for life, if one doesn't get more dox after a time, they experience a painful withdrawal. Essentially, this is a burning sensation that covers the entire body, as it targets the nerves. If left long enough, the pain feels like fire, and can be debilitating. The slow burn isn't as excruciating for skarthen, who need the drug to survive, but it is still enough to cause significant pain. This is one way the Vurg use the drug to gain compliance of the thralls. The slow burn was first discovered by humans when Hollin Dulmer and his compatriots expended the limited supply of dox that they had and could not obtain any more; it was so excruciating that they committed suicide.
Notes
- The Legion of Liberty character Kes experiences the slow burn in Grimhall.